Sockers Missing From First Team of All-MISL

The All-MISL Team, selected two weeks before the playoffs began and announced Wednesday, reflects the Sockers’ 25-27 regular-season record--none of the players from the league champion were selected to the first team.

Defender Kevin Crow was named to the second team, and midfielder Branko Segota and defender George Fernandez were honorable mention.

Socker playoff MVP Brian Quinn, who had career post-season highs for assists (17) and points (26), said the voting by two media members in each league city was fair based on the regular season. Quinn, a midfielder, missed 18 of those games because of a hamstring strain and then a groin strain. He was not among the 18 players selected.

“We didn’t have any star performers during the regular season to warrant it,” Quinn said. “It’s nice to have the championship.”

Said Crow: “Brian Quinn had probably the best playoff season in the history of the sport but missed (so many games) during the regular season,” Crow said.

Crow finished the season with 92 blocked shots and 20 points in 51 games. During the playoffs, he had a club-record 37 blocked shots, second best ever. In his five previous MISL seasons, he had been on the All-MISL first team four times and honorable mention once. His sixth All-MISL mention as a defender ties Kansas City’s Kim Roentved for the league record.

During the regular season, Segota had 27 goals and 34 assists in 44 games. He has earned All-MISL mention eight times in nine years, tying Steve Zungul for the most ever.

This is the first all-league honor for Fernandez, after seven indoor seasons. Fernandez had a team- and career-high 98 blocked shots and was the MVP of the MISL All-Star game in San Diego. He has played in 132 consecutive regular-season games, 177 including playoffs. Both are club records.

All-MISL

First team: Tatu, F, Dallas; Jan Goossens, F, Kansas City; Preki, M, Tacoma; Wes McLeod, D, Dallas; Bruce Savage, D, Baltimore; Scott Manning, GK, Baltimore.

Second team: Michael King, F, Cleveland; Dale Mitchell, F, Kansas City; Tim Wittman, M, Baltimore; Kevin Crow, D, Sockers; Mike Powers, D, Dallas; Joe Papaleo, GK, Dallas.

Honorable mention: Dale Ervine, F, Wichita; Domenic Mobilio, F, Baltimore; Branko Segota, M, Sockers; Fernando Clavijo, D, St. Louis; George Fernandez, D, Sockers; Slobo Ilijevski, GK, St. Louis.